The Globe and Mail

Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster
Like all great children’s entertainment, this video game also appeals to adults, and Once Upon a Monster is something you should play together. The two of you become Cookie Monster and Elmo, who step into a storybook world and solve the problems of the monsters they meet. The action is full bodied, thanks to the Xbox 360’s Kinect interface, and loads of fun. ($39.99; futureshop.ca)

iGuy iPad case
Designed for the discerning toddler, this case from Speck comes in three pastel colours. When standing on its two legs, the iGuy provides an ideal widescreen for video viewing on an iPad, and the two arms means your little speck can carry it around from bedroom to kitchen. The EVA foam material means that an iPad cuddled by the iGuy is protected from your iBaby. (US$39.95; speckproducts.com)

Laugh & Learn Apptivity Case
There are dozens of apps to help teach your baby to count, and with this Fisher-Price holder, you’ll actually be willing to hand your iPod Touch to the rugrat. It protects your gadget from drops and drool and inadvertent long-distance phone calls. And like all good baby toys, the Apptivity Case has a mirror on the back. ($19.95; toysrus.ca)

Woogie 2
Admit it. You’ve used your phone as a soother for your bawling toddler. There’s no shame. However, if you want to avoid having it handed back to you wet with drool, try inserting it in this cute stuffed toy, which acts as a protective case. The only question is whether it’s a gift for you or for your kid. ($19.99; http://store.griffintechnology.com/woogie-2)

Dora, Kai-Lan and UmiZoomi on Nintendo DS
These titles were created with preschoolers in mind. There’s no reading required and the games are controlled using only the touchscreen. In Team UmiZoomi, your kids go on a mighty math adventure. Then they can help Dora and Kai-Lan care for puppies, kittens and bunnies in Dora & Kai-Lan’s Pet Shelter.
($29.99; amazon.ca)

Kidz Gear headphones
These foldable headphones have the same quality components that go into adult cans, but are light and designed to fit young children. Most important, though, they have a built-in sound limiter so you can protect your child’s ears while letting them have control over the volume.
($19.99; amazon.ca)

Norbert Nipkin interactive book
The children’s book series by Toronto writer Robert McConnell and Burlington artist Steve Pilcher (now a senior art director at Pixar) is being reimagined – and remastered, with new images – as an iPad application. The stories are about the adventures of Norbert, a nipkin, in an enchanted land. ($2.99; itunes.apple.com/ca)